“You know for a fact that I’m not just a citizen.” I breathed in when the tears hit my eyes. “I can’t watch that look on their faces. I can’t go through that again.”
“So you’re planning on being an assistant for the rest of your life?”
“Maybe I’ll just travel to Tibet and search for inner peace. That’s what I’ve been missing, right?”
“Don’t do this to yourself. Running away and punishing yourself is not the answer to their acceptance and forgiveness.”
I wiped the tear that finally fell. “Maybe I’m what they thought I was. Maybe this is who I am. How would you know when you were never there?”
“I’m sorry, Carlott.”
“It’s been years. How did -”
“I’ve always known. Your brother is worried sick. He wants me to look after you.”
“Even my brother has accepted my fate.”
“No. He’s just been patient, Carlott. He believes in you and that you will one day talk to him and stand by his side. Do you know the King is not well?”
“What?” I stared at her in shock. “Don’t trick me, Aunt Alessia.”
“I wish that was not true. I would never wish him to be ill. He’s my father, after all.”
“I will pray for his fast recovery.”
“He’s old, Carlott, and has heart disease.”
“Did Thay put you into this?”
“No. I never even knew you would be here, but I’m happy to see you well and always beautiful.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
“So, about your date.”
I chuckled. “He’s not my date.”
“It’s a rare circumstance that a billionaire CEO takes his executive assistant to a gala unless they’re sleeping together or he has feelings for her. Does he know?”
“No.” I shook my head repeatedly. “He can never know.”
“Oh, dear. You are playing with fire. And I saw how he looked at you.”
“I work for him. That’s all.”
“Storm, are you in there?” I almost jumped at his voice and knocked.
“Storm?” My aunt’s brow arched as she looked at me in disbelief.
“Well, Gattewarde Braynburd doesn’t sound ordinary.”
I cleared my throat. “Yup. Be there in a sec.” I kissed auntie on her cheek. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you soon, right?”
“I’ll call. I promise.” I rushed to the door and opened it.
“There you are. I thought you left and ran away.”
“I was planning it, but too late now, isn’t it?”
He smiled and looked so handsome in a tux and well-cleaned up. He even trimmed his beard because I told him it could use a little razor.
“What?”
“May I?” Aunt Alessia came to the door.
“Forgive my date. Please?” He pulled me closer to him, giving way to my auntie.
Rome smelled fresh, clean, expensive, and manly. It must be his cologne.
“Are we allowed to escape?”
His brow raised inquisitively. “Do you want to?”
“I think we’re done here. We did what we came here for. We danced and drank champagne. I think you owe me a burger and milkshake.”
“A burger and a milkshake?” He was making fun of me.
“Yeah.”
“Fine.” He held my hand and hooked it around his arm. “Whatever you want, milady.”
We found a 24/7 open diner. He gave me his suit jacket to cover my back since my dress was backless. He had already loosened his tux, yet he still looked more appetizing than the fries on the table.
He took a huge bite of his greasy burger, and I sipped my milkshake.
“Eat.” He pulled a tissue from the rack and slipped it on my dress’ neckline. “Don’t care if you mess it up.”
“I was gonna eat. It’s just you’re distracting me.”
He beamed, wiping off the mayo at the corner of his lips. “Maybe I should wear a tux and shave more often.”
I grabbed my burger. “You call that shaving?” Then I took a bite and chewed it. “It’s delicious.”
“What?” He pretended he didn’t understand.
After I swallowed it, I took another bite.
“You did not go on a crash diet to fit into that dress, did you?”
“No. Why would I?”
“Good. Do you want dessert?”
I shook my head. “I’m good.”
After our late dinner, Zee sent us to my apartment.
“You don’t have to come with me,” I told him as I pressed the button to my apartment floor.
“I know, but I want to.” He cleared his throat. I knew he’d been meaning to talk to me about something, but he held it until it was just the two of us in the elevator where I couldn’t escape.
“Go ahead.”
“You recognized someone at the party?”
“Yup.”
“May I know who?”
“A family.”
“The woman in the bathroom?”
“Do you know her?” I tried to act innocently, wanting to get information.
“I don’t. Do you?”
The door slid open, saving me from lying. I stepped out, and I knew he was following me.
I knew one of these days, my secrets would blow up in my face. I just wished Rome wouldn’t be the one to do it.
I fished out my keys from the clutch.
“We can go to my house if Heera is already sleeping.”
“I’ll be quiet.” I unlocked the door and pushed it slowly open.
“So you’re not inviting me in?”
I walked in and held the door. “It’s late, boss.”
His lips spread into a full-blown smile. “I see. The clock struck midnight, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s past midnight, actually. So, I’m officially back to an assistant.” I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sure Zee is tired, and you are too.”
“You’re kicking me out already?”
“Considering you’re outside my door, you don’t need kicking.”
He breathed deeply. “Good night, then.”
Before he stepped back, I called him. “Thanks.”
“For what?” His gaze met mine.
“For not leaving my side.”
A slight furrow appeared on his forehead. “I would never do that.”
“I know.” It was too late to realize that I was already closing our gap and pressed my lips against his.
I was sure the gasp didn’t come from me. He was surprised, but so did I. My heart nearly exploded. I froze for a moment before I stepped back, meeting his wide eyes with my face burning bright red.
“Oh, God.” One moment I was staring at him, then next, I was shutting the door right in front of his face.